9/30/18 - Family Letter to Family
hi Emma,
what's up! i have been really missing you.
I watched a parks and Reck episode, it reminded me of you.
Thank you for being on a mission can really the blessings are real!!!
Thank you for every thing
Mari
YO YO YO YO YO EMMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How's it going? I'm going to my
first stake dance soon, and BYU didn't
do too good last game. They are
doing much better this year than last.
My football team is falling apart in the
last three games. I hope your having fun
and success.
Love you!
Hyrum
Sweet Emma,
Thanks for sharing that sweet
story about Lorivaldo and his inability to read. It is interesting
because this week Grandma Shea's doctor reported to us that he doesn't
think she can read. He said she has learned 'tricks' her whole life to
help her get by, but she cannot read. When she writes our birthday
cards, she uses about the same words (she has memorized). She has
memorized the names of stores/logos etc. to help her get by, but now
that her memory is fading, her brain doesn't know how to process her
'tricks' to help her recognize words/logos etc. The more we understand
about this, the more seems to make sense. My whole life, I could never
get her to read to me. Even when I was little, she would push the book
back at me and say, 'You do it!' I'm not sure her mom (Grandma Violet)
could read either. I know it was a different time in history...a time
when if you were pretty, you didn't have to read because there was
always a handsome man who could take care of you. I feel so sorry for
her. What a sad way to live. I can't even imagine life without
reading, or how it could affect your self-esteem. I'm so glad your ward
is rallying forces to help Lorivaldo. That is the first step to get
help, is recognizing that you NEED help. Poor Grandma Shea will never
admit this to any of us (otherwise we could've helped her).....oh how
much she's missed! I love Grandma Shea so much...I wish I could help
her!
When you asked for the 'flat pancake' recipe....do you mean 'Swedish Pancakes'?
3 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
vanilla (opt.)
cinnamon (opt.)
add a little water if too thick
Your mission tour looked so
fun! It had a 'college vibe' feel...but with a celestial purpose! We
will try to send you a mud mask for your next big 'sleepover'. I think
it's so cool that you get to serve in such a culturally rich place.
That is perfect for you because you appreciate those kinds of things so
much!
Family stuff: Mari had her
school's Fun-Run to raise $ for Riverton Elementary. She rand 17 laps
(and raised $75 dollars!) Eve didn't have school that day and came to
cheer her on! Hyrum started doing his duties as a 'teacher' at church.
He sat at the back door to greet/welcome people today. He's such a
good guy! Hyrum has also joined the 'Dungeons and Dragons' club at
school. He and Logan joined up! Dad and I went to "Scarlet Pimpernel"
at Hale Center this week. Your friend, Tanner Summers, was in the
cast! He wasn't performing the night we went, but it was fun to see his
name/bio in the program. We also watched Eve play Powderpuff. She did
great but her team didn't make the finals. We all went to the
homecoming game. Riverton was playing Taylorsville. Riverton creamed
them (happy and sad) 54-6! We went to Barlow Family Night tonight.
Rachel brought 'Connor' and introduced him as her friend. I think she's
been dating a few different people, but Connor seems to be her
favorite. I'm glad she's taking it slow. Blaikley is getting quite
round. She will be a cute momma! Grandpa Barlow is doing okay. He
just moves a bit slower. Grandma Mildred is doing really well. Grandma
Barlow is doing well too! Lauren and Micaela brought their new dog to
family night. He is a cute black yorkie/poodle (maybe you saw him
before you left). Mari made cupcakes for family night. They are cute!
This week, I was listening to
BYU Women's Conference. Sister Sharon Eubank (RS General Presidency)
spoke about priorities and 'to do' lists. She said over her life she
has learned that 'to do' lists never end and that's okay. She said that
she learned an important lesson regarding 'to do' lists. She said that
because her 'to do' list won't ever end, it was important to seek His
guidance about what to do each day in order to feel fulfilled. She said
that each day she starts out her day asking Him what is on His 'to do'
list. She said that he always tells her one thing that is important to
Him. One day, her instructions were to 'call your friend....', another
time it was 'teach the kids how to play Yahtzee', one day it was 'take
a nap'. She reported that when she made His priority her priority, she
could look back over her day with joy and gladness.
I have been doing this all week
and my 'instructions' have been, 'call Anthony', (he actually replied
back!) and 'call Holly' (this was the day before her birthday. She
actually responded and we had a nice chat and let me know that she's
having pain again and might need some help with Trevor), one day was
'make Ben feel special', one day was, 'go ahead and take care of your YW
Trek Assignment to get if off your mind'. Today was, 'Give as many
hugs as you can!'. I feel so inspired to be 'on His errand'. I'm sure
missionary work is a lot like this. Can you share some specific
'instructions' that have come to you? I can't wait to her about your
Celestial Room Inspiration!
I got to teach in O2 Ward
today. The whole presidency was able to attend our visits (we also
visited R10). We have all been feeling like change is in the air
regarding our Presidency. Through much prayer, we have all accepted
that the Lord's will for us might be different than what we would like.
We all want to stay in Stake YW but we all want what HE wants more.
Deep in my heart I feel like my time in Stake YW is not finished. I
feel like I have more to do, especially with this upcoming Trek. Even
though it may be hard, I want to do HIS will, regardless. I have been
feeling HIS strength blessing me with more wisdom and inspiration. I
feel that more is expected of me in my scripture study and focus. I
need to increase my temple attendance also.
Thank you for serving. Emma,
you are a wonderful example to me and all of us. I'm so proud of you. I
know the Lord is blessing you and preparing you for great things. I
miss you, but I know you are being taken care of. Peace in Christ!
Love Forever!
💜Mom
M,
Do you really not remember the
name for our "flat pancake recipe"? How long have you been eating
those? We all had a good laugh about your ability to forget something
so integral to our family. You remember your first name don't you? Our
first names?
Eve survived Powderpuff
Football. The team was not as good as last year. The coaches were
lacking too. She seemed to have fun. She did a really good job. I
keep thinking I need to work at the school so I can have a chance to
coach a team. Adrian using her contact as an SBO got all the girls from
the Ward on one team expect for Eve. We were not surprised but Eve
still was hurt a bit. It didn't help when some of the girls attempted
to trash talk with her. We all took some satisfaction when their team
did not win a game. We played right next to their game and noticed that
their first game was not close. We should be better people but . . .
we are not their yet. No major injuries in Powderpuff this year. The
shirts were really cool. The logo consisted of half a wolf head an half
of a girl's face painted for Powederpuff. I almost wanted one. We
went to the high school football game this past week. It was the
Homecoming game and it was against Taylorsville. they played poorly
enough that it reminded of my time in High School. Riverton blew Tville
out. The game ended up 56 to 6 or close to it. Tville scored in the
last few minutes against the 2nd string. It was fun to go but hard to
watch. Riverton seems to have a good team this year. I think this new
coach has figured out how to be successful.
We had a very busy day
yesterday. We had my Primary class over for a party. We had them over
for breakfast. We played Mario Kart and shot rockets the kids made.
Bro. Matthews has made a launch pad hooked up to an air compressor. The
kids made rockets and we launched them. Some launched too far and
landed in the Shipley's yard. After we cleaned up from the party we
went to a funeral for the Goble's Mom. It was not well attended. I'm
glad we went for what we could. We went from there to watch Hyrum play
his football game. They played an aggressive and a bit dirty team from
Pleasant Grove. He lost and was bummed the rest of the day. We then
came home and watch of the BYU game. BYU was losing so bad I turned it
off in an attempt to keep the family calm and happy. It was a very long
and full day.
We have started prep for our Trek training we are doing. We have arranged for a new assigned we call Story Masters. We are asking them to handle all Trek matters for the Ward. They are going to prep the kids with Trek stories, arrange for them to find pioneer ancestry in their family line, get them physically ready, and handle all logistics. It is a big role. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. I have been released from my sports calling but it has not been announced yet. I will be getting the season started while helping Mom with Trek prep. I happy to be involved with Trek. I have felt for a long time that we don't get the kids as prepared as we could. Your Mom and Delle have been discussing a potential change int he Stake YW Presidency. Delle has felt a for a while that a change is needed in the Presidency. The concern with this is if they suggest a change the Stake Presidency might feel like a complete change is necessary. Your Mom feels like she will be able to keep her role. We are planning our Trek prep they she will be around for a while.
We are excited for General
Conference this next weekend. We plan to do all the traditions we
normally. do. Your Mom was able to teach the YW from Oquirrh 1st Ward
and shared with them some of our GC traditions. I'm looking forward to
hear from you what General Conference is like in out area.
Keep working and doing your best. You are blessing many people in Brazil and home.
Love ya kid.
Dad
Comments
Post a Comment